Thiruvananthapuram, 13 Jan (H.S.):The Indian National Congress is set to formally begin its candidate selection process for the forthcoming Kerala Assembly elections, signalling the start of a crucial organisational exercise ahead of the high-stakes polls. As part of this process, AICC Screening Committee Chairman Madhusudan Mistry will arrive in Kerala on Tuesday evening to initiate preliminary discussions with senior state leaders.

Mistry is scheduled to reach Thiruvananthapuram later in the day and hold a series of meetings focused on the early stages of identifying and shortlisting potential candidates. The consultations will be led by the screening committee appointed by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and are expected to lay the groundwork for finalising the party’s electoral lineup.

According to party sources, the screening committee will hold sittings in the state capital that may extend for up to three days. At this stage, neither Members of Parliament nor sitting MLAs have reportedly been invited for one-on-one meetings, indicating that the current round of deliberations is intended to be preliminary rather than constituency-specific.

The Congress high command is understood to be adopting a firm and results-driven approach in this election cycle. Electoral winnability will be the overriding criterion in the candidate selection process, with the leadership keen to avoid internal compromises that could dilute the party’s prospects. Each Assembly constituency is expected to have a shortlist of three candidates, chosen strictly on their ability to win and their standing at the grassroots level.

Sources also point to a clear message from the AICC that group-based seat sharing or factional quotas will not be entertained. Instead, emphasis will be placed on organisational performance, public credibility, and the capacity to mount a strong challenge against the ruling dispensation.

The party is aiming for a swift conclusion to the screening exercise. Congress leaders indicate that the final list of candidates is likely to be announced soon after the completion of the Leader of the Opposition’s ongoing Kerala tour, which is being viewed as a key political outreach ahead of the elections.

With the formal process now set in motion, the Congress leadership hopes to present a picture of unity, discipline, and strategic clarity as it prepares for the Kerala Assembly battle.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman